The document discusses forms of community participation among older people based on preliminary findings from various studies. It identifies three main types of participation: active/proactive participation where older adults lead groups or organizations; active participation through membership in various groups and organizations; and peripheral participation such as socializing in public spaces. Factors influencing participation levels include physical and psychological health, available time, and environmental supports. Community engagement can promote health, social roles, and cognitive stimulation for older adults as well as benefit the broader community.

1. Forms of community participation among older people Trajectories and paths RIHSC ~ R esearch Institute for Health and Social Change – Manchester Metropolitan University JUDITH SIXSMITH LUANA VALLETTA RIHSC CONFERENCE - 1 st July 2011

2. THEORICAL BACKGROUND Silent Revolution> Populations are growing older in most of the countries around the world: this trend has characterized the age structure of developed countries for well over a century. At present, over 60s represent the 20,1% of the Ita li an population and ¼ of the voting people. It is estimated that in 2040 31,3% of italian population will be composed of people aged 65 and over characterized by good qualitiy of life, health and less disability then the past. In the U K it is estimated that by 2034 23% of the population will be aged 65 and over (see figure below). UK population projections for 2034 are ONS National Population Projections (NPP) 2008 based.

3. FORMS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AMONG OLDER PEOPLE: TRAJECTORIES AND PATHS Preliminary findings A thematic analysis of interview transcripts form the ENABLE-AGE project (UK, 2003); Qualitative data from an Italian research (Trajectories of over 60s’ social and political participation in Cesena; 2010); An ongoing literature review of current debates on older people’s community participation

4. A lot of authors associate successful aging with social participation , i.e. active engagment in social and community life (Rowe, Khan, 1987; Freund, Baltes, 2002; Gerstorf, Smith, Baltes, 2006). Social participation the process by which the community is actualized, negotiated and eventually modified (“ actualization of the community” Campbell and Jovchelovitch, 2000) The community participation in volunteer activities is an important predictor of older people`s life satisfaction, quality of life and well being (Harlow, Cantor, 1996: Cotterill et al, 2001) with benefits for both physical and psychological health and higher levels in the perception of social support. (Freedman, 1999; Carstensen, 1995; 2004). OLDER PEOPLE PARTICIPATION Key for a SA : having an active role in the society, keeping and experiencing a high sense of competence and control over life . (Midlarsky, 1991; Herzog, 1998).

5. Engagement PROACTIVE Leading a group; coordinating organization and designates either direct and personal contributions to civil society with important and proactive roles for promoting change and improving the quality of life of others in the community ACTIVE Membership in various group, associtations and socially oriented sharing of time. Resources. And ideas. Usually taking place in organized structures. PERIPHERAL Being in and around , where shopping, sitting in the park or watching the “world going by” are mentioned in terms of personal involment in community events

7. Example of transition to proactive political participation previous volunteer experiences Sympathetic of a political party widowhood continue a shared passion with her ​​late husband More time available Join in political party District representative Political party need to stay with the people Social problem Help to continue live Feel alive relationship Gratitude of the people social acceptability spurred in making better Sons grown up

8. CONCLUSION Preliminary findings show that several physical, psychological, social and environmental factors can influence the different ways in which older people experience community participation. Among the physical, psychological and social factors : people’s bodily changes, self-efficacy, experience, time available, requirement to redefine social roles and their need to feel useful. Environmental factors include the presence of public transportation. The presence of organization particular policy for promote or help the process of participation. Civic engagement can promote the construction of new sociael roles, goals, interpersonal and cognitive stimula, such as becoming a source of psychological and physical health and for the community at large.

9. THANKS ! For the attention Questions & suggestions